Inertia safety switch



July 31, 1962 w. G. VARDARA 3,047,689

INERTIA SAFETY SWITCH Filed Aug. 2, 1960 munnnnu TOR.

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BY Mig/5 3,047,689 INERTIA SAFETY SWITCH .Walter Gregory Val-dara, 487V 6th Ave., f

, San Francisco, Calif. Filed Aug. 2, 1960, Ser, No'. 46,923

' 1 Claim.l (Cl. 20d-61.45)

This invention relates to a switch, and more particularly to a safety switch for interrupting an electrical circuit, as

yfor example upon -the occurrence ofan accident or the like. v f

The object of the invention is'to `provide an intertia safety `switch which isfadapted to be used in .a suitable location such as in a vehicle whereby in the event of a oollision'or accident or Acrash or the like, the, switch will be actuated to automatically break or interrupt the electrical circuit of the vehicle so that there will be less likelihood of a fire resulting from la -shortcircuit or the like and wherein damage to the vehicle and'possibleinjury will be minimized or prevented.

p Another object of thel invention is to providean inertia safety switch which yincludes af member that is adapted to be moved from its `seat upon the occurrence of a certain condition such as upon the occurrence of an accident and wherein when this member moves from its seat, it will cause certain parts to be moved whereby an electrical circuit in which the switch is installed will be opened, and wherein when desired, the switch can Y be` readily manually yreset so `as to permit normal use of the vehicle or other member in which the device is mounted.

A further object of the invention -is` lto providean inertia safety switch which is simple in construction, very inexpensive to manufacture, and which lis reliable in use.

Other objects will appear as the descriptionproceeds.

The invention will be iirst hereinafter `described in connection with the accompanying drawings, which: consti- Patented July 3l, 1962 ameter than the section 2-1. The body member 19 further includes a cylindrical section 22 `and there is also provided anl annular groove 23 between the sections 20 and 21. A reset handle 24 extends upwardly from the section 19 and is secured thereto or formed integral :therewith and this handle 24 is adapted to be used for rel setting the switch of the present invention, as later described in' this application.v

n The numeral 25 indicates a movable blade which is provided with a suitable aperture or opening that engages the section 22 and groove 23 of the body member 19, asfor example as shown in FIGURE l. yThe blade Vv'cludes an end portion 30 which is anchored or aixed tutera. part of this specification, and then more speciiically Y delined in the claim at the end of the description.

In the accompanying drawings, in which similar reference characters are used throughout the several'views to designate corresponding parts.v

FIGURE l is a plan view of the inertia safety switch of the present invention, with partsrbroken away land in section.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational View of the inertia switch, with parts broken away and in section.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional View taken on the line 3-3 of FIGURE l.

-FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 ofV FIGURE 1.V FIGUREY-ta -is a perspectiveview of a portion of the switch of the present invention.

Referring in detail to the drawings, Ithe numeral '10 indicates the inertia safety switch of the present invention which is shown to comprise a horizontally disposed insulated base 11, and .arranged below the base 11 is a plate '12 which is adapted to be made of a suitable Aoo nductive material such a-s a suitable metaljand depending from the plate 12 is an adaptor 13 for engaging a terminal 14 of a battery 15, and wherein the battery 15 may be the battery of a vehicle such as an automobile.

Arranged contiguous to the upper lsurface of the base v-11 and secured thereto as for example by means of screws 25 is suitably aiixed to thesection 20, as fotexample by means of a `securing element 26. The numeral 27 Aindicates a U-shaped yoke which is suitably affixed to the blade 25. l

Asshown in the drawings there is provided a spring member 28 which includes a coiled portion 29 that is circumposed on the pin 18, and the spring member 28 into the base 11, while the other end 31 of the spring member ,28 is arranged` in engagement with the yoke 27on the blade 25. y

Extending through one 'end of the blade 25 is a securing element 32, and there is provided a pair of conductors 33 which each have an end connected to the securing Velement'32, and the conductors 33 each include intermediate coiled portions 34. The other ends of thecon- -ductors 33 are arranged in engagement with securing elements `35 which are electrically connected to the .plate 12. v

The rst section 20 of thev body member 19 is pro- Ivided with arecess or notch 36 that defines a shoulder `37. The numeral 38 indicates a ba-r which includes a l .36 and shoulder 37 of the section 20 ofthe body memor securing elements 17, is .a pair of L-shaped lugs 16,

v terial and comprises a first section 20 and -a second section 21, the sections 20 and 21 being of generally circular formation, and wherein the section 20 is of larger diber 19 as for example when the parts are in the position L) shown in FIGURE 2.

The end of the portion 40 of the bar 38 is provided with an Venlargement or projection 44, and the numeral indicates a cable or line which has its lower end fastened in the projection 44, vas for example by means of a set screw 46. The upper end of the cable 45 is suitably affixed to the' weight or ba11-47.

As shown in the drawings there is provided a stand 48 which includes an upright member 49 as well as a horizontal-ly disposed circular seat 50, and the stand 48 may be secured to the base 11 in any suitable manner, as for example by means of securing elements 52..V A` circular band 51 is suitablyf atiixed to the ball 47.

The numeral 53 designates each of a pair ofy L-shaped brackets which each comprise a horizontally disposed leg 54 that is `secured to the base as for example by means of securing'elements S5, and each bracket 53 further includes a vertically disposed leg 56. Conductors 57 are arranged in engagement with elements 58 that are connected to the bracket 53.

The numeral v59 indicates a switch assembly which is arranged adjacent an end of the base 11, and the assembly 59 includes an insulated supporting block 60 which may be secured to the base 11 as for example by means `of pins or securing elements 61. This `assembly 59 includes a lower arm 62 which has a contact 63 on its upper outer end, and there is further provided an upper arm '64 which has a contact for selectively engaging the con- 3' v tact 63 on the lower arm 62. A U-shaped bushing 66 of insulated material is atlxed to an end of the blade as for example by means of rivets or securing elements 67.

The numeral 68 indicates a spring member which is arranged inengagement with the portion 40 of the bar 38, as for example -as shown in FIGURE 2.

' Thus, it will be seen that according to the present invention there has been provided an inertia safety switch,

f and with the parts arranged as shown in the drawings, it

will be seen that the inertia safety switch is adapated tobe arranged in a suitable location as for example in a vehicle or other member `such as a boat, aircraft or the like, and wherein the parts can be readily adjusted as desired in order to provide that actuation shall take place vat the proper time, and wherein when an emergency occurs such as a crash, the electrical circuitswill become inactivated or disconnected. Thus, spilled gasoline or the like will not be ignited so that there will be less likelihood of injury to personnel or damage to the vehicle or other member in the event of a crash. After the accident or the like, when desired, the switch can be reset so as to 4again connect the electrical circuit to the various components for accessories so that the circuit can be completed when desired.

Normally, the parts are adapted to be arranged in the position shown in FIGURE 2 for example, wherein it will be seen that the ball 47 is supported on the seat 50, and the band 51 which is suitably axed to the outer surface of the ball 47 engages the upper portion of the seatv 50. The cable 45 has its upper end suitably connected to the ball 47, and the lower end of the cable line 45 is connected to the projection 44 on the bar 38 as lfor example by means of the set screw 46. The bar 38, when in the position of FIGURE 2, has its end portion 39 engaging the recess 36 andshoulder `37 of the section 20 of the body member 19 so that with the parts in the poend 39 of the bar 38 will be moved out of engagement of the recess 36 sogas to permit rotation of the body member 19. The spring member 68 serves to nonmally maintain or urge the bar 38 in the position of FIGURE 2, but when the weighted ball 47 is dislodged ol of the seat 50, the ballwill cause the cable 45 to be pulled on with suicient force to overcome the holding power of the spring 68 so that the end 39 can move out of engagement with the notch 36 in t-he body member 19. Then, the spring 28 will pivot the blade 25 in a counter-clockwise direction, FIGURE 2, and since the blade 25 is connected to the body member 19 as'at 26, it will be seen that with the bar portion 39 out of the recess 36, the body member 19 and consequently the blade 25 will be free to pivot in a counter-clockwise direction, FIGURE 2.

The pin 18 in addition to its other functions, serves as a pivot mounting for the contact blade 25. As the blade 25 moves in `a counter-clockwise direction, FIGURE 2, the electrical circuit to the various components or accessories will be'opened as later described in this application.

The conductors 33 each include intermediatecoil portions 34 which thus function as variable length conductors since as the blade 25 pivots to its various or several positions, the coil portion 35 can expand or contract in order tovinsure that there will be no binding of the conductors and in order to insure that the electrical circuit will always be properly completed between the blade 25 and element 32 and conductors 33 and securing elements 35. v

The blade 25, when in the position of FIGURES 1 and 2 is interposed between the vertical legs 56 of the bracket 53, and in addition the bushing 66vis engaging the upper arm 64 of the switch assembly 59 whereby the contacts 65 and 63 are in electrical engagement with each other. The adaptor 13` is suitably aflixed tothe plate 12 or formed integral therewith, and the adaptor 13 is adapted to be connected to a battery terminal such as the battery terminal 14 as for example by means of a set screw or securing element 69.

Suitable material can be used `for making the various parts, and the shape and'size of the parts can be varied as desired or required. v

VJhen the switch 10 is to be reset, the ball 47 can be replaced on its seat 50 and the handleV 24 can be manually moved so as to return the parts to the position shown in FIGURE 2 and then the handle 24 can be released and the portion 39 of the bar .3S-will engage the recess 36 in order to prevent accidental movement ofthe partsv on the pole such as the ypole 14 of the battery 15 andis 'Y secured in place by meansof the screw 69.

In view of the fact that when the motorof a vehicle is operating, the generator is functioning, the battery is not necessary since the generator will supplyfthe current for the ignition and everything else such as forexample currentfrom this source can supply live sparks to start a fire in case of an accident. To eliminate this undesirable situation the switch 59 is provided. Thus,`wl1en the motor is operating the generator supplies the current, and

the battery such as the battery 15 may be disconnected and the motor and everything else will still be functioning with current in all the wires. Thus, it is necessary to eliminate instantly the current from all the wires and the assembly 59 is incorporated in the inertia switch 10 to provide for this. As shown in the drawings, the main contact blade 25 has the non-conductor 66 attached thereto, and the conductors 70 and 71 are adapted to be electrically connected to the generator and voltage regulator of the vehicle. The points or contacts 65 and 63 are supported by the spring arms 64 and 62,7and the other ends of the spring arms 64 and 62 are insulated from each other as lfor example by means of the insula-v tion 72, FIGURE 4, and the conductors 70 and 71 lead to the generator and voltage regulator. The'wire leading to the generator is adapted to be armor-plated. The l assembly 59 functions as follows. When the maincontact blade 25 is in the closed position as for example as shown in the drawings, the points 65 and 63 are in engagement with each other or arev closed and the generator is charging and everything is operating in a normal manner.

When the blade is in open position, the points 65 and 63 longitudinal axis of the switch 10 in order to conserve space.

Thus, the switch 59 functions as a secondary `assembly or switch unit to instantly eliminate all current that circulates in the system and this assembly 59 includes a nonconductor 66 which is firmly attached to the blade 25 as at 67. i The points 65 and 63 and the spring arms 64 and 62 are insulated from each other at the area indicated by the numeral 72 and the wires'71 and 70 are connected to the arms 64 and 462 respectively, and one of OCCUI'S.

. 5, these wires leads to the generator while the other leads to the voltage regulator.

Often during a collision or accident involving a vehicle, the vehicle overturns and catches Vfire and sometimes the injured people areburned in the vehicle and at times there is a short circuit in the wires of the vehicle which produces rire -that increases damage to the vehicle and also increases financial loss to the owner of the vehicle. With the automatic switch of the present invention such tires Acan be minimized or prevented. When the motor vehicle overturns or is lying on its side, the motor may still be working but the mixture of air and gasoline in the carburetor is changed due'to the different position of the vehicle and there may be backfiring through the carburetor or the muffler so that if there is any spilled gasoline in the vicinity of the vehicle as is usually the case, such gasoline .is ignited and a lire In addition, when a serious collision occurs or when a vehicle falls oi of a highway and is badly damaged there is usually bent and torn metal with sharp edges which cut electric Vwires or damage the insulation and short lcircuits often result which ignite the insulation on the wires as well as the upholstery and usually the spilled gasoline, and the automatic switch of the present invention will eliminate the electric current from the wires as well as eliminating the possibility of a short circuit and subsequent tire.

In addition, often there is a continuons blast of a horn which people seen to be having difficulty in stopping and sometimes there is the odor of burning rubber in the vehicle and the present invention can be actuated by the operator of the vehicle to temporarily eliminate the electric current from the wires so as to overcome these difficulties. The inertia safety switch of the present invention will swiftly and automatically eliminate vthe current from all electric wires in the motor vehicle as soon as the collision occurs or when the vehicle assumes the position which is not horizontal.

In use the ball 47 may be suitably weighted so that it is sufficiently heavy and may be 4filled with -lead if desired and may be approximately two inches in diameter and rest on the seat 50, the band 51 being suitably afixed to the .ball 47 for engaging the seat `50. 'I'he seat 50 is formed integral with or secured to the upper end of the stand 48, and the stand 48 is connected as at 52 to the base 11. Then, when. a collison or accident occurs, regardless from which direction, the ball 47 is moved or tilted off its seat 50 so as to pull on the cable 45 and the cable 45 actuates the trigger bar 38 which slips out of the notch 36 so as to release the contact blade 25 so that the blade 25 will move out of engagement with the receptacle that consists of the brackets 53 so as to break the continuity of the circuit right at its source, namely at the battery. All of the wires are dead, the motorwill be turned oit and the possibility of a short circuit is eliminated and the danger of a fire and explosion is minimized.

If the vehicle is in the process of overturning, as soon as the vertical plane is oft, a certain angular amount such as 45 degrees toward the horizontal, the ball 47 falls olf its seat so as to actuate the trigger bar. The contact blade is again released, and the wires of .the motor are `dead even before the vehicle falls on its side.

In the event that a driver or a garage mechanic or the like nds it necessary to eliminate the electric current from the wires lfor any of the above named reasons, the mechanism can be actuated manually by pulling on the cable 45 and suitable levers and buttons can be used to facilitate this. The switch can be reset manually as for example by means of the handle 24 at any time after it is actuated. The contact blade 25 is securely insulated from the body of the switch, its axle or pin, the spring 6 and all releasing mechanisms and is electrically connected by the flexible copper cable 33, to the contact cup or adaptor 13 which is also insulated from the body of the switch and which is located or positioned beneath the switch. The adaptor 13 is adapted to be made of a suitable strong lgood conductor metal and is threaded internally and has the securing screw 69. The switch makes contact with one pole such as the pole 14 of the battery through the contact cup 13, it is set on the pole, turned one-half or a quarter turn for better and tighter contact and secured with the securing element 59. The receptacle which consists of the L-shaped bracket 53 is electrically connected to the body of the Switch. In addition, the body of the switch is also connected to the cable that leads t-o the self starter as well as to the rest of the electrical system of the vehicle.

Normally the switch will not be needed, but in the event of an accident or the like as previously stated the switch will be actuated in orderto help save lives and prevent damage to the various elements.

Minor changes in shape, size and rearrangement 0f details coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, if desired.

A suitable simple cover is provided lfor the whole switch to keep out dust and grime.

What is claimed is:

In an inertia safety switch, an insulated base, a conductor plate positioned below said base and ailxed thereto, an adaptor depending from said plate for engaging a battery terminal, a pair of L-shaped lugs mounted on the upper portion of said base, a pin extending between said pair of lugs, a body member mounted on said pin and including first and second sections of different sizes, a reset handle extending upwardly from the second section of said body member, a contact blade connected to the iirst section of said body member, a U-shaped yoke connected to said blade, means including conductors having coiled portions electrically connecting said blade t0 said plate, a spring .member having a portion thereof circurnposed on said pin and said spring member having an end portion anchored to said base and its other end engaging said yoke, the first section of said Ibody member being provided with a recess which deiines a shoulder, L-shaped support members affixed to said base, a securing element extending between said support members, a trigger bar pivotally mounted on said securing element and said trigger bar including first and second portions which are arranged angularly with respect to each other, the free end of the first portion of the bar adapted to selectively engage the recess and shoulder of the first section of the body member, a projection on the'free end of theA second portion of the bar, a cable having its lower end fastened in said projection, a stand connected to said base and including an elevated seat, a ball provided with a circular band thereon, and said ball engaging said seat and said cable being-connected to said ball, a pair of L-shaped ibrackets ailixed to said base and said brackets including horizontally `disposed legs and vertically disposed legs, conductors connected to -the horizontal legs of the brackets, a secondary switch assembly on said base and said secondary switch assembly comprising a lower arm provided with a contact o n an end thereof, an upper arm having a 'contact on an end thereof, an insulated bushing on the blade for engaging a portion of the upper arm, and conductors connected .to said arm.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,871,310 Porcheddu Jan. 27, 1959 2,879,349 Thompson Mar. 24, 1959 2,912,535 Sullivan Nov. 10, 1959 

